MERCEDES-BENZ G500 2002 W463 Owner's Manual

238 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
With the BAS malfunctioning the ABS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off.
If the ESP warning lamp and the É malfunction
in d icator lamp c ome on pe rm anen tly while t he en gin e is
running, a malfunction has been detected in either
system. As a result, it is possible that now only partial
engine output will be available. If the BAS malfunctions,
the brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without BAS.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the ESP
warning lamp, the É malfunction indicator lamp
come on and warning messages appears in the
multif un ction d is play, t he BA S and t he E SP ar e s witched
off. When the voltage is above this value again, the
malfunction indicator and warning lamp should go out
and the BAS is operational.If the É malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp stay illuminated and warning messages
appears in the multifunction display, have the BAS and
ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Light
Truck Center as soon as possible.
For warning messages and malfunction indicator lamps,
see page 264 and page 272.
J_G463.book Seite 238 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

239 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.
At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
ABS control
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the
instrument cluster comes on with the electronic key in
starter switch position 2 and should go out with the
engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp- in the
instrument cluster comes on while the engine is
running, it indicates that the ABS has detected a
malf un ction an d has s witched of f . In t his c ase, t he brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without
antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off. The malfunction indicator lamps
come on with the engine running.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.
J_G463.book Seite 239 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

240 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp- also comes
on, when the differential lock is engaged. The ABS is
switched off, but there is no malfunction in the system.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
If the ABS malfunction indicator lamp stays illuminated,
have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.Notes:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions
you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.
Operating the vehicle on a single axle dynamometer
should only be done for briefly testing the brakes. To do
so, move selector lever to position “N”. The engine must
be shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0
or 1).
For ABS malfunction and warning messages, see
page 275.
LOW RANGE – ABS
During off-road driving a special low range system for
the antilock brake system (ABS) is operational with
transfer case in position LOW, see page 247.
An improved braking action (dig in effect) is obtained
for vehicle speeds up to 37 mph (60 km/h) through a
change in the ABS control function.
Wa r n i n g !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded. The ABS cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.
J_G463.book Seite 240 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

241 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Four-wheel electronic traction system (4-ETS)
With the electronic key in starter switch position 2, the
warning lampv located in the speedometer dial
comes on and should go out when the engine is
running.
The 4-ETS improves vehicle’s ability to utilize available
traction, especially under slippery road conditions. The
brakes are applied to the spinning wheel and power is
transferred to the wheel(s) with traction. The 4-ETS
function is available between vehicle speed
0 mph (km / h) and 37 mph (60 km / h).
The 4-ETS warning lampv starts to flash at any
vehicle speed, as soon as the tires loose traction and the
wheels begin to spin.
Important!
If the 4-ETS warning lampv flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.4-ETS Control
If the É malfunction indicator lamp and the ESP
warning lamp stay illuminated and warning messages
appears in the multifunction display with the engine
running, a malfunction has been detected.
Have the 4-ETS checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the 4-ETS is also
switched off.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
towing the vehicle on page 324), or when testing the
parking brake on a brake test dynamometer, the engine
must be shut off (electronic key in starter switch
position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the electronic traction
system will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
J_G463.book Seite 241 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

242 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
electronic traction system is only achieved with
Mercedes-Benz recommended M+S rated radial-ply tires
and / or snow chains.Electronic Brake Booster (EBB)
The EBB enhances braking effectiveness by allowing the
rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking
effort without a loss of vehicle stability.
If a warning tone sounds for five seconds and the
symbols É, v and - are displayed in the
instrument cluster, the system has detected a
malfunction and is switched off. Have the system
checked immediately at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center. Failure to do so could result in an
accident, since the enhanced braking effect is not
available when the system is switched off.
Note:
When the EBB is switched off, every time the engine is
started, a warning tone will sound for five seconds and
the symbols É and - will light up. In addition,
whenever the brakes are applied at speeds exceeding
25 mph (40 km / h), the warning tone sounds for five
seconds.
J_G463.book Seite 242 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

243 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over-/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
towing the vehicle on page 324), the engine must be
shut off (electronic key in starter switch position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Notes:
The yellow ESP warning lampv in the speedometer
dial comes on with the electronic key in starter switch
position 2. They should go out with the engine running.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from exc es si ve
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.
J_G463.book Seite 243 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

244 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the ESP warning lampv comes on continuously
and warning messages appears in the multifunction
display with the engine running, a malfunction has
been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS, ESP and 4-ETS.
If the ESP warning lampv and the
Émalfunction indicator lamp come on and warning
messages appears in the multifunction display, have the
BAS or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Light Truck Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS, ESP and 4-ETS
are also switched off.
For warn in g m ess ages and malfun ction in d icator lamps ,
see page 264 and page 272.
Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lampv in
speedometer dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels,
including the spare wheel, must have the same tire
outside diameter.When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is on ly achieved wit h Me rced es -B enz re comm end ed
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the ESP warning lampv
and warning messages appears in the multifunction
display with the engine running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The ESP warning lampv and the warning
messages in the multifunction display should go out.
J_G463.book Seite 244 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

245 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP control switch
ESP control switch located in center console.
To switch ESP off, press upper half of switch (1).
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
comes on.
To switch ESP on again, press lower half of switch (2).
ESP warning lamp v, located in speedometer dial,
goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
sn ow chain s, or startin g of f in d eep sn ow, san d o r grave l,
or off-road driving, switch off ESP by pressing the upper
half of the ESP switch. The ESP warning lampv,
located in the speedometer dial, is continuously
illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
If the ESP is switched off the ABS, BAS and ETS are still
ava il ab le .
P42.45-2278-26
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off.
Ad apt your s peed an d d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road
conditions.
J_G463.book Seite 245 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

246 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the ESP is switched off, it will be automatically
activated when exceeding a vehicle speed of 37 mph
(60 km / h) or exceeding a severity threshold of side
acceleration.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control is available between
vehicle speed 0 mph (km / h) and 37 mph (60 km / h).Note:
Avoid spinning of one drive wheel. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).
Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
J_G463.book Seite 246 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08

247 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Transfer case
The switch is located in the center console.
1Off-road position “LOW” (L) (approximately
1/2 speed). This position is intended for driving
off-road and for steep gradients.
The transmission will not upshift automatically to
the next higher gear range, when driving on the
rpm limit.
2Road position “HIGH” (H).3Transfer case indicator
4Gear range indicator
J_G463.book Seite 247 Mittwoch, 19. September 2001 8:06 08